Page:Guide to the Bohemian section and to the Kingdom of Bohemia - 1906.djvu/98

78 The pictures of that page represent: John Baptist's beheading (initial); below: The burning Huss in Constance; above, on the right: Three pictures of the Reformers, the first Wycliffe striking fire; under him Huss with a candle already burning; and the third Luther, holding a blazing torch of the truth of God.—A truly catholic and broad minded conception of the Reformation.—These Hymnals are a peculiarity of Bohemia. They were the property of Associations of Choirsingers („Literátské Sbory“). Written on parchment, adorned with magnificent initials and miniature paintings, bound in costly covers, they were the pride of the Fraternities, which counted among their members, nobles, scholars and burghers. There was scarcely a town in Bohemia, that could not boast such a treasure of art. Their price now is their weight in gold. A great many of them went abroad along with other spoils during the 30 years war. Of those still preserved in Bohemia, the most beautiful and precious is that of Žlutice (1558—1559), Litoměřice (1517), Králové Hradec (4 copies), Chrudim (1570), Prague (1572), and some others.

Č. Dušek, Kolín. Bohemia.